Small form factor fiber optic connector with multi-purpose boot assembly

ABSTRACT

An optical connector holding two or more LC-type optical ferrules is provided. The optical connector includes an outer body, an inner front body accommodating the two or more LC-type optical ferrules, ferrule springs for urging the optical ferrules towards a mating connection, and a back body for supporting the ferrule springs. A removable inner front body for polarity change is disclosed. A multi-purpose rotatable boot assembly for polarity change is disclosed. The multi-purpose boot assembly can be pushed and pulled to insert and remove the micro connector from an adapter receptacle.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional under 35 USC 121 that claims priorityto U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/368,828, titled “Small FactorFiber Optic Connector with Multi-Purpose Boot”, filed on Mar. 28, 2018,which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application 62/649,539 titled“Micro Connector with Multi-Purpose Boot”, filed on Mar. 28, 2018; andfurther claims priority to U.S. patent with Ser. No. 16/103,555 filed onAug. 14, 2018 entitled “Ultra-Small Form Factor Optical Connectors UsingA Push-Pull Boot Receptacle Release”, which is a continuation in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/035,691 filed Jul. 15, 2018,entitled “Ultra-Small Factor Optical Connectors”, which claims priorityfrom U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/588,276 filed Nov. 17,2017; U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/549,655 filed Aug. 24,2017; and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/532,710 filed Jul.14, 2017 all of the above applications are incorporated by reference inthis non-provisional patent application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to ultra-small form factoroptical connectors, termed “micro optical connectors,” and relatedconnections within adapters and optical transceivers.

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of the Internet has led to unprecedented growth incommunication networks. Consumer demand for service and increasedcompetition has caused network providers to continuously find ways toimprove quality of service while reducing cost.

Certain solutions have included deployment of high-density interconnectpanels. High-density interconnect panels may be designed to consolidatethe increasing volume of interconnections necessary to support thefast-growing networks into a compacted form factor, thereby increasingquality of service and decreasing costs such as floor space and supportoverhead. However, room for improvement in the area of data centers,specifically as it relates to fiber optic connects, still exists. Forexample, manufacturers of connectors and adapters are always looking toreduce the size of the devices, while increasing ease of deployment,robustness, and modifiability after deployment. In particular, moreoptical connectors may need to be accommodated in the same footprintpreviously used for a smaller number of connectors in order to providebackward compatibility with existing data center equipment. For example,one current footprint is known as the small form-factor pluggabletransceiver footprint (SFP). This footprint currently accommodates twoLC-type ferrule optical connections. However, it may be desirable toaccommodate four optical connections (two duplex connections oftransmit/receive) within the same footprint. Another current footprintis the quad small form-factor pluggable (QSFP) transceiver footprint.This footprint currently accommodates four LC-type ferrule opticalconnections. However, it may be desirable to accommodate eight opticalconnections of LC-type ferrules (four duplex connections oftransmit/receive) within the same footprint.

In communication networks, such as data centers and switching networks,numerous interconnections between mating connectors may be compactedinto high-density panels. Panel and connector producers may optimize forsuch high densities by shrinking the connector size and/or the spacingbetween adjacent connectors on the panel. While both approaches may beeffective to increase the panel connector density, shrinking theconnector size and/or spacing may also increase the support cost anddiminish the quality of service.

In a high-density panel configuration, adjacent connectors and cableassemblies may obstruct access to the individual release mechanisms.Such physical obstructions may impede the ability of an operator tominimize the stresses applied to the cables and the connectors. Forexample, these stresses may be applied when the user reaches into adense group of connectors and pushes aside surrounding optical fibersand connectors to access an individual connector release mechanism withhis/her thumb and forefinger. Overstressing the cables and connectorsmay produce latent defects, compromise the integrity and/or reliabilityof the terminations, and potentially cause serious disruptions tonetwork performance.

While an operator may attempt to use a tool, such as a screwdriver, toreach into a dense group of connectors and activate a release mechanism,adjacent cables and connectors may obstruct the operator's line ofsight, making it difficult to guide the tool to the release mechanismwithout pushing aside the adjacent cables. Moreover, even when theoperator has a clear line of sight, guiding the tool to the releasemechanism may be a time-consuming process. Thus, using a tool may not beeffective at reducing support time and increasing the quality ofservice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a micro optical connector improvedaccording to disclosed embodiments of push/pull and polarity change inpresent invention.

FIGS. 2-4 depict a technique polarity changing of the micro connector ofFIG. 1

FIGS. 5-8 depict polarity changing according to an another embodiment ofthe present invention of a micro-connector.

FIG. 9-11 depict inserting the micro-connector of FIG. 1 into anadapter.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a front body according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an adapter hookand alignment assembly.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of micro connectors of FIG. 1 insertedinto an adapter.

FIG. 15 is a perspective rear view of a group of micro connectors ofFIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a micro connector with multi-purposepush/pull-rotatable boot (FIG. 17) for insert/removal of connector fromadapter and for polarity change.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of multi-purpose rotatable boot assemblywith an alignment and offset key releasable attached to the bootassembly.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an outer housing of the micro connectorof FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of front body and boot removed from FIG.18 outer housing.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the micro connector in a first polarityposition.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 20 being rotatedin direction “R” to a second polarity.

FIG. 22 depicts micro connector of FIG. 20 being rotated further to thesecond polarity.

FIG. 23 depicts micro connector of FIG. 20 in the second polarity.

FIG. 24 is side view of micro connector of FIG. 16 with a cross sectioncut “A-A”.

FIG. 25 is a view along cross section cut “A-A” of the micro connectorof FIG. 16 in a first polarity position.

FIG. 26 is an end view of the boot assembly illustrating an opening forfiber optic cabling.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of end of a back body, with fiber opticcabling.

FIG. 28 is perspective view along cross section “A-A” at a start of bootrotation to change a micro connector from a first polarity to a secondpolarity.

FIG. 29 is perspective view along cross section “A-A” in furtherance ofboot rotation to change the micro connector from a first polarity to asecond polarity.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the micro connector in furtherance ofboot rotation.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view along cross section “A-A” just prior tocompletion to a second polarity of the micro connector.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the micro connector just prior tocompletion to a second polarity.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view along cross section “A-A” of microconnector FIG. 16 in a second polarity position.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view along a longitudinal cross section of amicro connector of FIG. 16, latched into an adapter receptacle withmulti-purpose rotatable boot assembly biased forward or pushed in.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of FIG. 34 as multi-purpose rotatable bootassembly is partially pulled in direction “P”.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of FIG. 34 as multi-purpose rotatable bootassembly (FIG. 17) is release from adapter hook but still underinfluence of pulling force “P”.

FIG. 37 is perspective view of a micro connector with another push/pullrelease embodiment incorporated therein.

FIG. 38 is an exploded view of FIG. 37 connector.

FIG. 39 is a side perspective inner view of a micro connector of FIG. 37without an outer housing.

FIG. 40 is a cross-section view of connector of FIG. 37 latched into areceptacle.

FIG. 41 is a cross-section view of connector of FIG. 37 partial removedusing push/pull release boot according to the present invention.

FIG. 42 is a cross-section view of connector of FIG. 37 released from anadapter receptacle.

FIG. 43 is an exploded view of another embodiment of a micro connectorwith a releasably attached clip defining a first and a second polarity.

FIG. 44 is an assembly view of the micro connector of FIG. 43 in a firstpolarity.

FIG. 45 is an assembled view of the micro connector of FIG. 43 in asecond polarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following terms shall have, for the purposes of this application,the respective meanings set forth below.

A connector, as used herein, refers to a device and/or componentsthereof that connects a first module or cable to a second module orcable. The connector maybe configured for fiber optic transmission orelectrical signal transmission. The connector may be any suitable typenow known or later developed, such as, for example, a ferrule connector(FC), a fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) connector, an LCconnector, a mechanical transfer (MT) connector, a square connector (SC)connector, an SC duplex connector, or a straight tip (ST) connector. Theconnector maybe generally defined by a connector housing body. In someembodiments, the housing body may incorporate any or all of thecomponents described herein.

A “fiber optic cable” or an “optical cable” refers to a cable containingone or more optical fibers for conducting optical signals in beams oflight. The optical fibers can be constructed from any suikeyletransparent material, including glass, fiberglass, and plastic. Thecable can include a jacket or sheathing material surrounding the opticalfibers. In addition, the cable can be connected to a connector on oneend or on both ends of the cable.

Various embodiments described herein generally provide a remote releasemechanism such that a user can remove cable assembly connectors that areclosely spaced together on a high density panel without damagingsurrounding connectors, accidentally disconnecting surroundingconnectors, disrupting transmissions through surrounding connectors,and/or the like. Various embodiments also provide narrow pitch LC duplexconnectors and narrow width multi-fiber connectors, for use, forexample, with future narrow pitch LC SFPs and future narrow width SFPs.The remote release mechanisms allow use of the narrow pitch LC duplexconnectors and narrow width multi-fiber connectors in dense arrays ofnarrow pitch LC SFPs and narrow width multi-fiber SFPs.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of micro optical connector 2100, shown inexploded view. Micro optical connector 2100 may include outer housing2101, front body 2102, one or more ferrules 2103, one or more ferruleflanges 2104, one or more springs 2133, back body 2106, the latter has awing 2106.1 on the top and bottom of the body, the wing 2106.1 issecured within an opening 2119 at a distal end of front body 2102, backpost 2107, crimp ring 2108, and boot 2109. Front body 2102 side wallsare open not closed, a channel 2194 for aligning ferrule flanges 2104,and an alignment sleeve opening 2113 to accept ferrule 2103. Outerhousing 2101 may include a longitudinal bore for accommodating frontbody 2102 and ferrule 2103, springs 2133 and back body 2106, connectoralignment key 2105 used during interconnection, connector flap 2101.1and an optional pull key 2110 to facilitate removal of connector 2100when connected in a dense array of optical connectors. Optionally, theferrules may be LC-type ferrules having an outer diameter of 1.25 mm.Connector flap 2101.1 secures front body 2102 within outer housing 2101.Alignment key 2105 is also used as blocking structure to indicatedconnector polarity orientation as disclosed herein. Polarity isdetermined by the ferrules 9203 (Refer to FIG. 19), where a firstferrule is for Tx or transmit and a second ferrule is for Rx or receive.As known in the art, a mismatch of ferrules 9203 with opposing ferrulessecured in an opposing adapter port, the signal would be lost. Alignmentkey performs a dual function, when the boot assembly is rotated, thealignment key is repositioned, so upon insertion into an adapter, theconnector can be blocked by the key. This in effect disallows the userto insert the connector within the adapter receptacle, thus, preventinga mismatch of signal between opposing connectors across an adapterinterface. As disclosed below, starting at FIG. 18 an additional aid maybe markings located on the connector housing, indicating “A” or “B”polarity of the connector ferrules after rotating the boot.

As depicted FIGS. 2-4, FIG. 2 micro connector 3700 includes an assembledfront body 3702 that may be removed from outer housing 3701, rotated180° as indicated by the arrow (FIG. 3), and re-inserted into the outerhousing (FIG. 4). This allows for a change in the polarity of theconnector by removing and rotating front body 3702, and therefore theferrules can be switched quickly and easily without unnecessarilyrisking the delicate fiber cables and ferrules. Referring to FIG. 2,micro connector 3700 is fully assembled. To remove front body 3702 tochange connector polarity, as shown in FIG. 3, one or more flex key 3703are lifted outward to release front body 3702 for removal in rearward inthe direction of the arrow “<”. Referring to FIG. 4, to complete thepolarity change, after rotating front body 3702 by 180 degrees as shownin FIG. 3, front body 3702 is inserted into the outer housing in thedirection of arrow “F”.

FIG. 5 depicts the operation of the polarity change mechanism usingouter housing 5301 (refer to FIG. 6), where pull key 5310 is integratedwith the outer housing. In FIG. 5, micro connector 5300 is fullyassembled. The user inserts a tool in access slot 5329 and lifts offouter housing 5301, instead of flexible keys 3703 (refer to FIG. 3).Front body 5302 is removed with the boot and cable attached as shown inFIG. 6. Turning to FIG. 7, the outer housing 5301 is rotated 180degrees, as shown by the arrow “R”, and placed back over front body 5302in the direction of the second arrow as shown. The reversed polaritymicro connector 5300 is shown fully assembled in FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 9, micro connector 5300 is shown just prior toinsertion into adapter 5600. Connector 5300 is partially inserted inFIG. 10, wherein connector hook (or adapter hook) 5525 has not yet beenseated in the connector recess 5511, and FIG. 11 depicts hook 5525seated in recess 5511, in direction of arrow “A”.

Referring to FIG. 12, front body 6102 has two cutouts 6119 and 6121 andan extended middle wall 6110. Cutout 6121 engages the outer housinghooks (not shown) that replaces flex key 3703 to secure the outerhousing to the front body. Cutout 6121 secures the polarity change key5310. Cutout 6119 secures back post 2106 to front body 6102 via backpost front body hook 2106.1 (refer to FIG. 2). The material is saved atback post 2106 overmolding, by not using the flex key, and this savedmaterial to reinforce the middle wall to better help support the ferrulesprings from bending and thus help prevent distorting the ferrules. Thisreduced material also allowed a reduction in the connector sizecontribution to a 3.1 mm ferrule to ferrule pitch as shown in FIG. 12.This distortion can increase insertion loss. Connector recess 6111 islocated at the proximal end of front body 6102, and the recess engagesand locks with connector hook 5525. Referring to FIG. 13, adapter hook6246 added chamfers (6242, 6226) to adapter (connector) hook surfaces toimprove installation of the connector into the adapter when connectorramps 5512 engage adapter (connector hook) 5525 Refer to FIG. 5).Adapter hook assembly has an alignment sleeve holder 6227 that acceptsone or more ferrules from the micro connector, and aligns the ferrules9203 with opposing ferrules of a second micro connector (not shown).

FIG. 14 illustrates a group of micro connectors 7500A inserted into anadapter 5700. Adapter 5700 has plural of slots 5700 a configured toaccept an alignment key 7500A.1 proximal on the alignment and offset key(7500A, 9105.1)

Alignment key, and alignment and offset key is defined as a protrusionadjacent to a side of the connector housing.

FIG. 15 depicts alignment and offset key 7500B with the group of microconnectors 7500A of FIG. 14. Alignment/offset key 7500B adds stabilityand reduces misalignment during insertion when key 7500B acts as asupport between connectors as shown. Key 75008 also helps determinepolarity of the micro connector, as described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 16-17, FIG. 16 depicts micro connector 9100 with analignment and offset key 9105.1 having an offset portion 9123. Offsetportion 9123 engages a top surface of a side bar ledge 9124 for aligningconnector 9100 into a multi-receptacle adapter next to another microconnector. Side bar ledge 9124 is located further back or nearer adistal end of a connector (e.g. closer to the cable) where side barledge 9124 is part of a multi-purpose rotatable boot 9109.1. Microconnector 9100 outer housing 9101 is secured to boot 9100.1 via boothooks 9109.5 (FIG. 17) that engages second slot 9201.4 a and 9201.4 b inconnector housing 9201 (as shown in FIG. 18), when in polarity status“B” or status “A”, as depicted on outside of micro connector housing.Multi-purpose boot is rotatable in the direction of arrow “R”.

Referring to FIG. 17, multi-purpose rotatable boot 9109.1 comprisesreleasably attached alignment and offset key 9105.1, releasable atrelease point 9109.6, also refer to FIG. 43. Alignment and offset key2105 may be fixed on connector outer housing, as shown in FIG. 1 or atalignment key 5305 disclosed in FIG. 37. The alignment key may have notoffset portion as disclosed in FIG. 1 and FIG. 37, without departingfrom the scope of the invention, that the boot assembly is rotatable asdisclosed in FIGS. 26-27 and FIGS. 25-33 and FIGS. 43-45. It is the keyprotruding from the connector housing that is determines polarity uponrotation of the boot assembly as disclosed herein. Alignment key (2105,9405.1, 5305, 9600) or similar structure protruding from the outerconnector housing repositioned by the rotating boot assembly and the keyinteraction with adapter structure that determines polarity as describedherein. Referring to FIG. 17, key 9105.1 has a securing protrusion9105.2 at a proximal end that engages first slot 9201.3 b in connectorhousing 9201 (refer to FIG. 18) to further secure multi-purposerotatable boot assembly 9109.1 to front body 9202 or outer housing 9201.Multi-purpose rotatable boot assembly 9109.1 comprises a body 9109.1 awith a passageway along line P-P for passing a fiber optic cable (referto FIG. 26 and FIG. 27) to the ferrules to complete the signal path.

Referring to FIG. 18, outer housing 9201 is shown in a Second Polarityorientation “B” comprising corresponding first slot 9201.3 b and secondslot 9201.4 b. Multi-purpose rotatable boot assembly 9209.1 (FIG. 19) isinserted at a distal end of connector housing 9201 shown in thedirection of arrow “I”. Second slot 9201.4 a corresponds to polarityposition “A”.

Referring to FIG. 19, multi-purpose rotatable boot assembly 9209.1comprises alignment and offset key 9205.1, as described herein boot hook9209.5, side bar ledge 9024 that is configured (as described herein) toengage back body 9206, front body 9202 and plural of ferrules 9203. Sidebar ledge 9024 accepts offset key 9023 of a second connector when twoconnectors are inserted into an adapter. This allows connectors to beinserted side by side into an adapter more easily, without jamming. Theproximal end (or ferrules 9203 end) of assembly 9209.1 is inserted intoa distal end of the outer housing 9201 (FIG. 18) in the direction ofarrow “1”. Upon insertion, the outer housing 9201 engages withmulti-purpose rotatable boot assembly 9209.1 as shown by the dottedlines between first slot 9201.3 b and second slot 9201.4 b, engagingsecuring protrusion 9205.2 on alignment and offset key 9205.1 and bootwing 9209.5. The wing and securing protrusion are received second slotand first slot described in FIG. 18 outer housing.

Referring to FIG. 20, front body 9302 and boot assembly 9309.1 areassembled in micro connector housing 9301 with alignment and offset key9305.1 in a first polarity position.

Referring to FIG. 21, multi-purpose rotatable boot assembly 9309.1 isrotated in direction “R” to convert from a first polarity “A” (refer toFIG. 20) to Second Polarity “B” (refer to FIG. 23), with alignment andoffset key 9305.1 180 degrees or opposite the first polarity position asdepicted in FIG. 20, to Second Polarity position “B”. Boot rotation key9305.1 may be sized as disclosed in FIG. 1. Boot hook 9209.5 furthercomprises chamfer 9309.2. Chamfer 9309.2 engages wall 9301.5 ofconnector outer housing and chamfer 9309.2 lifts boot hook 9209.5 out ofa distal end of connector housing 9301 and is freed from second slot9201.4 b, and securing protrusion 9105.2 (refer to FIG. 17 and shown inFIG. 20) lifts out of first slot 9201.3 b thereby allowing the bootassembly to rotate as shown in the direction “R”, FIG. 21. Chamfer9309.2 may engage wall 9301.5 using an angle or chamfer cut oppositecurrent chamfer 9309.2 to allow for rotation in the opposite directionof FIG. 21. Rotation of boot assembly 9309.1 changes connector 9100 froma first polarity “A”, as depicted in FIG. 20, to Second Polarity “B”, asdepicted in FIG. 19 (without connector housing) and FIG. 32. Bootassembly may be rotated in a clockwise direction, without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 22, further rotation of boot assembly 9309.1 resultsin a change to a second polarity as shown in FIG. 23, with alignment andoffset key secured within polarity “B” first slot 9201.3 b.

Referring to FIG. 23, side bar ledge 9023 (as well as alignment key9305.1) is in Second Polarity position or “B” polarity, and when themicro connector is inserted into an adapter (not shown), the microconnector is oriented with key 9305.1 in an opposite position to FIG.20, so key may be blocked by corresponding adapter structure (notshown). If micro connector 9100 is blocked by adapter structure thismeans the micro connector is not in the correct polarity orientation tomake a fiber to fiber connection via an adapter to an opposing fiberoptic connector or transceiver as is known in the art. After rotation,the ferrules are reversed the top ferrule is now the bottom ferrule, andthis results in a second polarity configuration. The second polaritybeing different from the first polarity, that is, Rx receive signal isnow Tx transmit signal path and vice versa. Alignment and offset key9405.1 has been switch from a First Polarity “A” to Second Polarity “B”.

FIG. 24 is the micro connector 9100 with a cross section along “A-A”line as shown in FIGS. 25 through 33 further illustrating polaritychange using multi-purpose rotatable boot assembly 9209.1. Longitudinalcross section is provided along line “B-B” in various drawings of thisapplication. “L-L” is the longitudinal axis of the connectors in thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 25, a front view of the cross-section cut “A-A” of themicro connector of FIG. 24 (also FIG. 16) further comprises an openingthrough which fiber cabling (not shown) travels, and crimp ring surface9407.1 that is further surrounded by inner round 9409.4. Referring toFIG. 26, inner round 9409.4 engages a back post surface 9406.7 formed asan outer round shown at FIG. 27, as the assembly 9209.1 is rotated.Inner round and outer round form mating surfaces that can freely rotatethereby allowing multi-purpose boot assembly to be rotated about fiberoptic connector housing. Referring back to FIG. 25, boot hook 9109.5further comprises first chamfer 9409.2 a and first stopping wall 9409.3a, and second chamfer 9409.2 b and second stopping wall 9409.3 b, in afirst polarity position. Boot hooks 9109.5 rotate between second slot9201.4 a and second slot 9201.4 b during polarity change. Second slot9201.4 a corresponds to the connector being in a “A” polarity position.Likewise, second slot 9201.4 b corresponds to the connector being in “B”polarity configuration. Securing protrusion 9405.1 resides in first slot9201.3 a for “A” polarity, and then resides in first slot 920 i.3 b for“B” polarity after boot release 9309.1 rotation.

Referring to FIG. 28, rotating of the boot assembly is started andchamfer 9409.2 a engages connector housing wall 9301.5 and begins tolift first boot wing 9109.5 a out of second slot 9201.4 a. Likewise, asecond boot wing 9109.5 b is rotating out of second slot 9201.4 b.

Referring to FIG. 29 upon further rotation in direction “R”, securingprotrusion 9105.2 (refer to FIG. 20) on alignment and offset key 9405.1is lifted out of first slot 9201.3 a (refer to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21), andboot wing 9109.5 a is lifted out of second slot 9201.4 a at a topsurface and upon 180 degree rotation, securing protrusion 9105.2 (referto FIG. 20) is accepted into first slot 9201.4 b at a bottom surface ofthe outer housing 9401. Boot wing 9109.5 b moves out of second slot9201.4 b.

Referring to FIG. 30, the rotation of boot assembly 9409.1 is shown asit exits the outer housing 9401 of connector 9100. Chamfer 9409.2 bexits first from this view. Alignment and offset key 9405.1 is movingaround the outer housing body in a counter-clockwise direction, in thisview to a Second Polarity position “B”.

Referring to FIG. 31, alignment and offset key 9405.1 is almost in asecond polarity position as shown, with chamfer 9409.2 b in an oppositeorientation to itself in FIG. 25. Referring to FIG. 32, connector 9100shows chamfer 9409.2 b in the opposite position to that of FIG. 30,indicating the connector is close to its second polarity configurationwith alignment and offset key 9405.1 at bottom surface of outer housing9401. FIG. 33 depicts connector 9100 along cross section “A-A” in itssecond polarity position, with chamfer 9409.2 b in second slot 9401.4 aat the top surface of outer housing 9401. Polarity key 9405.1 is at thebottom surface of outer housing 9401 indicating the connector is in asecond polarity configuration.

Referring to FIG. 34 a micro connector 9100 is shown along cross section“B-B” (refer to FIG. 24) in a latched position within a receptacle ofadapter 2400. During rotation of the multi-purpose rotatable bootassembly 9209.1, boot wing 9209.5 operates as described above in FIGS.25-33. This is accomplished by gap 9209.6 between boot assembly 9209.1that allows “free-wheeling” about crimp ring 9207 as inner round 9409.4engages back post face surface 9406.7 as described in FIGS. 26-27.Rotating boot assembly while connector is in a latched position withinadapter, boot assembly wing 9209.5 facing surface is in contact withfacing surface 9206.2 of back post 2106, as shown at interface 9100.8.Still referring to FIG. 34, boot wing 9209.5 face engages andreleaseably locks with corresponding surface 9301.4 a of second slot9201.4 of outer housing 9201, FIG. 18 and FIG. 21. Micro connector 9100is latched and unlatched in an adapter 2400 receptacle using push/pullboot assembly or push/pull key as described in FIGS. 9-11, or FIGS.34-36, or FIGS. 37-42. Adapter hook 2425 is seated in connector recess9211 located in front body 9202. In this position, boot assembly 9209.1is up against back body 2106 as shown at interface 9100.8, as shown bydirection of arrow “Pushed In”.

Referring to FIG. 35, boot assembly 9209.1 is being pulled rearward inthe direction of “P”. Boot assembly 9209.1 is pulled a release distance“d” to interface 9100.8, 9100.9 to unlatch connector from adapterinterface. At the same time, adapter hook 2425 is being lifted outconnector recess 9211 as micro connector 9100 is removed from adapter2400 receptacle. Boot assembly 9209.1 moves a distance “d” because bootwing 9209.5 engages outer housing face 9301.4 a, and pulls outer housing9201 rearward. Outer housing 9201 is pulled rearward connector 9100 isreleased from this the amount of separation between the distal end ofthe back body and proximal end of boot assembly 9209.1. This distancematches channel distance, FIG. 36, 9100.9 a, 9100.8 a in which boothooks slide upon pulling connector from adapter using rotatable bootassembly. Hooks 2425 lift out of recess 9211 located at a proximal endof front body 2102, when boot assembly 9209.1 is pulled rearward atleast this distance.

Referring to FIG. 36, once boot assembly 9209.1 is fully pulled indirection of “P”, connector 9100 is released from within adapter 2400.Adapter hook 2425 is completely out of connector recess 9211, andmaximum pulling distance. Once the pull force, “P”, is release from boot9209.1, interface distance 9100.8 returns to that of FIG. 34, uponrelease of pull force “P”, on boot assembly 9209.1.

FIG. 37 depicts connector 5300 with push/pull boot assembly 5345 a atits distal end receiving a fiber cable with a plural of fiber strandstherein, and a proximal end configured to connect and secure to backbody assembly 5330 a secured with outer housing 5301. Outer housing 5301has alignment key 5305, further has opening 5301 a with stop face 5301 bthat boot wings (5445 b, 5445 c) (refer to FIG. 38) engage when bootassembly 5345 a is pulled in a distal direction fully to releaseconnector 5300 from a receptacle as shown in FIG. 41, when hook 5425 isremoved from recess 5711. Ferrules 5303 provide the Tx, Rx informationlight signals.

FIG. 38 depicts an exploded view of connector 5300 of FIG. 37. Bootassembly 5445 a accepts crimp ring assembly 5440 a having protectivetube 5440 c covering fiber strands and crimp ring 5440 b secured to backpost 5430 c of back body assembly 5430 a including back body 5430 b. Apair of springs 5425 are placed over a corresponding ferrule assembly5420 comprising a ferrule and ferrule flange. The ferrule assembly andsprings are held within front body 5402 by back body assembly 5430 a, asdescribed for connector 2100. Front body 5402 is inserted into distalopening 5401.1 of outer housing 5401 with boot assembly wing 5430 asecured within a distal opening 5415 b of front body and wing is securedthrough opening 5401.4 of outer housing securing outer housing, frontbody and back body together when assembled with push/pull boot, asdepicted in FIG. 37.

FIG. 39 depicts connector of FIG. 37 without its outer housing 5301, inan assembled configuration. Boot assembly 5445 a is secured on back post5430 c of back body 5430 a via crimp ring 5440 a, as described in FIG.38. Wings (5445 b, 5445 c) secure FIG. 39 assembly within outer housing5301, and during release of connector 5300 from a receptacle, wings(5445 b, 5445 c) pull back outer housing a specific distance “d”, whichreleases adapter/receptacle hook or latch 5625 that is seated in recess5611 (refer to FIG. 40), while connector 5300 is secured withinreceptacle 2400. Front body 5402 is secured to connector housing 5401with back body 5430 a secured to a distal end of front body 5402, asdescribed in FIG. 1 and elsewhere in this disclosure.

FIG. 40 depicts connector 5300 secured within receptacle 2400 of FIG.24. Receptacle hook or latch 5625 rests in connector recess 561.1 formedwithin front body 5601, at its proximal end. A gap of distance “d” 5629limits travel of front body 5601 as boot release wing 5645 b engagesstop face 5301 b of outer housing 5601. This “d” travel removes hook5625 from connector recess 5611 thereby unlatching or releasingconnector from adapter 2400. Crimp ring 5440 b is shown secured to backpost 5630 c. Back body 5630 a is secured within front body 5402 atdistal openings 5401 b (FIG. 38).

FIG. 41 depicts connector 5300 being removed or pulled out of receptacle2400 in direction “P”. Hook or latch 2425 within receptacle housinglifts out of recess 5711 along front body ramp 5401 d (FIG. 38), as bootassembly 5745 a is being pulled rearward or in a distal direction. Gap5529 is closed as shown in FIG. 41. Inner face of connector housing 5715c is flush with front face of front body 5701 e, which stops travel ofboot assembly and is configured to ensure adapter latch or hook 2425 isdisplaced from recess 5711 to release connector from receptacle, asshown in FIG. 42. Boot wing 5745 c is secured at a distal end withinsecond slot or opening 5401.4 within connector housing 5401.

FIG. 42 depicts connector 5300 removed from receptacle 2400 using bootassembly 5845 a. In this embodiment, wings (5845 b, 5845 c) are flushwith outer housing wall 5801 b. Wings (5845 b, 5845 c) move within gapor opening 5801 c within connector housing outer wall, as boot 5845 a ispulled rearward to release connector from adapter 2400 as shown. Spring5825 biases forward front body face 5815 c to be flush with front bodyface 5801 e, when pull force is released from boot assembly. Hook orlatch 2425 is displaced from recess 5811, and hook resides in adapterhousing gap 2400 a within outer housing of receptacle 2400. This reducesthe overall dimensions of the adapter to accept more connectors.

Referring to FIG. 43, another embodiment of a polarity change isdisclosed using alignment and offset key 9600. Alignment and offset key9600 is releasebly attached to boot clip surface 9975 as shown by thedotted line. Attaching key 9600 to a first side of the boot 9209.1,connector 9100 is in first polarity configuration, and attaching key9600 to a second side, connector 9100 is in a second polarityconfiguration. Referring to FIG. 44, a first polarity configuration isassembled key 9600 is attached to boot 9209.1 of connector 9100.Referring to FIG. 45, a second polarity configuration is assembled withkey 9600 is attached to the opposite side of boot 9209.1.

In the above detailed description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbolstypically identify similar components, unless context dictatesotherwise. Other embodiments may be used, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented herein.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (for example, bodiesof the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (forexample, the term “including” should be interpreted as “including butnot limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having atleast,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but isnot limited to,” et cetera). For example, as an aid to understanding,the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductoryphrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations.However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply thatthe introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or“an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claimrecitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even whenthe same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “atleast one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (for example, “a”and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one ormore”).

The invention claimed is:
 1. An optical fiber connector comprising: afront body configured to hold first and second ferrules; a back bodyhaving a proximal end portion and a distal end portion spaced apartalong a longitudinal axis, the proximal end portion of the back bodyconfigured to couple to the front body, the distal end portion of theback body comprising a cylindrical back post having an outer roundsurface extending along the longitudinal axis, the back body defining aback body passageway extending from the distal end portion through theproximal end portion; and a rotatable boot assembly having a proximalend portion and a distal end portion spaced apart along the longitudinalaxis, the rotatable boot assembly comprising a main body and a strainrelief sleeve extending longitudinally from the main body to the distalend portion of the rotatable boot assembly, the rotatable boot assemblycomprising a boot passageway extending from the distal end portionthrough the main body, the main body comprising an inner round surfaceextending along the longitudinal axis, the inner round surface defininga proximal end portion of the boot passageway, the rotatable bootassembly configured to be disposed on the back body such that (i) theouter round surface of the back post is matingly received in the innerround surface of the main body and (ii) the cable boot member isslidable along the longitudinal axis relative to the back body forreleasing the optical fiber connector from an adapter, the optical fiberconnector being configured to terminate a fiber optic cable such that ajacket of the cable is received in the strain relief sleeve in the bootpassageway, the boot passageway and the back body passageway configuredto align for passing first and second fibers from the fiber optic cableto the front body to complete a signal path to the first and secondferrules within the front body; the main body further comprising atleast one boot hook configured for releasably securing the multi-purposerotatable boot assembly against rotation relative to the back body, andthe rotatable boot assembly further comprising an elongate arm extendinglongitudinally from the main body in a proximal direction along thelongitudinal axis, the elongate arm being configured for selectivelysetting the optical fiber connector to each of a first polarity and asecond polarity.
 2. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1,wherein the elongate arm is an alignment key.
 3. The optical fiberconnector according to claim 2, wherein the alignment key aligns theproximal end of the optical fiber connector into the adapter.
 4. Theoptical fiber connector according to claim 2, wherein the alignment keyfurther comprises an offset key, the offset key stabilizes the distalends of the fiber optic connector and the second fiber optic connector.5. An alignment and offset key comprising: a main body with a proximalend closer to a ferrule within fiber optic connectors, and a distal endcloser to an incoming fiber optic cable; the proximal end furthercomprises a protrusion, the protrusion is configured to be accepted intoa slot made in an adapter housing for aligning the fiber optic connectorupon inserting the fiber optic connector into the adapter; the distalend further comprising an offset key, the offset key has protrusion onone side and forms a gap on the opposing side, and wherein the offsetkey attached to a fiber optic connector, the protrusion mates with a gapformed by a second offset key attached to a second fiber opticconnector, whereby the mating stabilizes the distal end of the fiberoptic connector with the second fiber optic when the connectors aresecured within the adapter.
 6. The optical fiber connector according toclaim 1, wherein the at least one boot hook comprises first and secondboot hooks.
 7. The optical fiber connector according to claim 6, whereinthe first and second boot hooks are spaced apart on diametricallyopposite sides of the longitudinal axis.
 8. The optical fiber connectoraccording to claim 6, wherein when the rotatable boot assembly isdisposed on the back body, the first and second boot hooks are spacedapart on diametrically opposite sides of the back body passageway andradially overlap the back body passageway relative to the longitudinalaxis.
 9. The optical fiber connector according to claim 6, wherein thefirst and second boot hooks are releasable to allow the rotatable bootassembly to rotate on the fiber optic cable 180° about the longitudinalaxis from a first polarity position in which the elongate arm sets theoptical fiber connector to the first polarity to a second polarityposition in which the elongate arm sets the optical fiber connector tothe second polarity.
 10. The optical fiber connector according to claim9, wherein when the rotatable boot assembly is in the first polarityposition, the first boot hook is on a first side of the back post andthe second boot hook is on a second side of the back post; and whereinwhen the boot assembly is in the second polarity position, the firstboot hook is on the second side of the back post and the second boothook is on the first side of the back post.
 11. The optical fiberconnector according to claim 9, wherein the elongate arm is connected tothe main body to rotate with the main body as the rotatable bootassembly rotates between the first polarity position and the secondpolarity position.
 12. The optical fiber connector according to claim 6,wherein the first boot hook and the elongate arm are radially spacedapart from the longitudinal axis in a first direction and the secondboot hook is radially spaced apart from the longitudinal axis in asecond direction opposite the first direction.
 13. The optical fiberconnector according to claim 1, wherein the boot hook is releasable toallow the rotatable boot assembly to rotate on the fiber optic cable180° about the longitudinal axis from a first polarity position in whichthe elongate arm sets the optical fiber connector to the first polarityto a second polarity position in which the elongate arm sets the opticalfiber connector to the second polarity.
 14. The optical fiber connectoraccording to claim 13, wherein the elongate arm is connected to the mainbody to rotate with the main body as the rotatable boot assembly rotatesbetween the first polarity position and the second polarity position.15. The optical fiber connector according to claim 14, wherein the frontbody holds the first and second ferrules such that the first ferrule isradially spaced apart from the longitudinal axis in a first directionand the second ferrule is radially spaced apart from the longitudinalaxis in a second direction opposite the first direction.
 16. The opticalfiber connector according to claim 15, wherein when the rotatable bootassembly is in the first polarity position, the elongate arm is radiallyspaced apart from the longitudinal axis in the first direction; andwherein when the boot assembly is in the second polarity position, theelongate arm is radially spaced apart from the longitudinal axis in thesecond direction.
 17. The optical fiber connector according to claim 15,wherein the front body comprises a contiguous ferrule support wallextending transverse to the longitudinal axis and having a first endportion radially spaced apart from the longitudinal axis in the firstdirection and a second end portion radially spaced apart from thelongitudinal axis in the second direction, the ferrule support walldefining a first ferrule opening radially spaced between the first endportion and the longitudinal axis and a second ferrule opening radiallyspaced between the longitudinal axis and the second end portion, thefront body configured to receive the first ferrule in the first openingand the second ferrule in the second opening, the front body furthercomprising a first elongate portion extending longitudinally from thefirst end portion of the ferrule support wall and a second elongateportion extending longitudinally from the second end portion of theferrule support wall, the first and second elongate portions havingdistal end segments that define an undivided space between them thatopens longitudinally through a distal end of the front body.
 18. Theoptical fiber connector according to claim 17, wherein the proximal endportion of the back body is configured to be received in the undividedspace between the distal end segments of the first and second elongateportions.
 19. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, whereinthe back body passageway and the boot passageway form a single,undivided longitudinal passage through which the first and second fibersare passable from the cable to the first and second ferrules.
 20. Theoptical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein the back bodypassageway comprises a distal segment along the back post, a proximalsegment along the proximal end portion of the back body, and atransition segment between the distal segment and the proximal segment,wherein the back body passageway has a first inner dimension along afirst radial axis and a second inner dimension along a second radialaxis perpendicular to the first radial axis, wherein along the distalsegment, the back body passageway is substantially circular such thatthe first inner dimension is about the same as the second innerdimension; wherein along the proximal segment, the back body has across-sectional shape that is elongate along the first radial axis suchthat the first inner dimension is greater than the second innerdimension; and wherein along the transition segment, as the back bodypassageway extends in the proximal direction along the longitudinalaxis, the first inner dimension increases by a greater amount than thesecond inner dimension.